Abstract: A test pin for providing test probe access to a plated via in a multi-layer printed circuit board. The test pin comprises a first straight part adapted to extend through the via in contact with the via plating and a second part formed into a loop for engagement by a test probe clip.

Abstract: An antenna package for use in a wireless communications device. The package includes a metallic leadframe section having a plurality of leads and a paddle shaped as a planar antenna, and dielectric material encapsulating the paddle and portions of the leads.

Abstract: A magnetic clamp device which allows the grounding of a conductive flange of test equipment to a metallic ground plane in a quick and efficient manner. The device includes a top plate and a spring-loaded bar secured to the top plate. The bar is straddled by a pair of magnet assemblies so that when the bar is placed over the conductive flange of the test equipment, the magnet assemblies straddle the flange and are magnetically secured to the ground plane, with the spring-loaded bar pressing the flange into conductive engagement with the ground plane.

Abstract: A dispenser for trash container liners including a rigid triangular box containing a supply of liners in the form of a cylindrical roll of a continuous strip of liners. The liners extend through an open slot in a side of the box and the innermost liner of the roll is securely attached to a cylindrical spindle on which the liners are wound. The box is detachably secured to the bottom of the trash container and the spindle is dimensioned so as not to pass through the slot. Accordingly, when the last liner in the box is used and removed from the container, the box is removed as well.

Abstract: A U-shaped metal member for securing a circuit component to a circuit board in place of conventional screws and nuts. The element is inserted through aligned holes of the component and the board and is wave soldered to the board for permanent securement.

Abstract: A tool for extracting a press fit pin from a pin field in a backplane of an electronic system. The tool includes a shaft having first and second ends, with a chuck mounted to the first end and an abutment mounted to the second end. The chuck has a plurality of jaws adapted to grip the pin therebetween and a weight is slidably mounted on the shaft between the chuck and the abutment. After a pin is held by the chuck, the weight is slid along the shaft to contact the abutment and the kinetic energy imparted by the weight to the shaft acts to pull the pin out of the backplane.

Abstract: An assembly for improving the shielding of an electronic system from electromagnetic interference radiation and electrostatic discharge includes a U-shaped conductive bracket as part of the face plate assembly secured to an edge of a circuit card. A conductive latch member is pivotably mounted on the bracket and extends through open slots in the bracket. A conductive gasket is provided on one side of each bracket to engage the opposite side of the bracket of an adjacent face plate assembly. Other conductive gaskets slidingly engage the latch member and seal the slots in the bracket.

Abstract: A mounting adaptor for coupling a gas pressure regulator outlet to a gas meter inlet includes a plate having through-bores alignable with internally threaded blind holes which surround the meter inlet in the meter wall. The plate has a planar surface surrounding the outlet opening of the regulator and is adapted for contact engagement with a planar surface on the meter exterior wall surrounding the inlet opening. A groove in the planar surface of the plate holds a sealing ring to effect a seal. In an alternate construction, a tube extends from the plate into the meter inlet opening and an annular groove on the tube exterior holds a sealing ring for engagement with a cylindrical wall extending into the meter from the inlet opening.

Abstract: A collimated-beam photonics package wherein the plurality of optical fibers and imaging devices are held in a parallel spaced array in a first holder and a plurality of surface-normal optic devices are held in a corresponding spaced array in a second holder. The first and second holders have complementary exterior features so that the first and second holders are securable to each other with the respective arrays being registered one with the other.

Abstract: A lockable latch and switch actuator assembly for a circuit card includes a spring clip having a slot cooperating with a tab on a latch handle to lock the latch in its closed position. A release portion on the spring clip may be pushed to release the tab from the slot and unlock the latch. The other end of the spring clip is formed with an actuating portion which engages the actuator of a proximity switch mounted to the circuit card when the latch is in its locked position. This actuating portion is spring loaded so that when the latch is released from the locked position, the latch is pushed to an ajar position from which it can be moved to its fully open position.

Abstract: Control of the roasting fluidized bed of coffee. It is governed by determining when the pyrolysis of the roasted batch is at its peak. The roasting is then stopped after a predetermined period of time. The following of the commencement of pyrolysis accurately and uniformly determines the starting period for the timing of the stoppage of the process to obtain uniform roasting result. The process is not vulnerable to variations in roasting such as moisture, temperature of the roasting air etc. Air circulation control conduit is provided with a vent port for gases and an inlet port for fresh air, the two ports can be simultaneously opened or closed while the control conduit is simultaneously closed or opened, respectively. Additional air circulation and discharge systems are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A database accessing system for processing a request to access a database including a multiplicity of entries, each entry including at least one word, the request including a sequence of representations of possibly erroneous user inputs, the system including a similar word finder operative, for at least one interpretation of each representation, to find at least one database word which is at least similar to that interpretation, and a database entry evaluator operative, for each database word found by the similar word finder, to assign similarity values for relevant entries in the database, said values representing the degree of similarity between each database entry and the request.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding and aligning a sample to be examined by a scanning electron microscope or the like includes an alignment device having base structure installable in the scanning electron microscope in a predetermined orientation. The alignment device also includes a holder for the sample which is mounted to the base structure for rotative movement about a rotation axis relative to the base structure. An adjuster is mounted on the base structure and can be manipulated to rotate the sample holder about the rotation axis. This alignment device is installed in a base holder and a video camera captures an image of the sample held by the sample holder. The image is displayed on a video monitor and the adjuster is then manipulated to rotatively align the sample to a desired orientation. The alignment device, including the sample, may then be removed from the base holder and installed in the scanning electron microscope with the sample being properly aligned.

Abstract: A conductive tubular member surrounding an optical fiber and its connector termination. When the fiber connector termination engages a complementary connector extending through an opening in a conductive faceplate of an electronics system, the tubular member engages the securement nut holding the connector to the faceplate to function as a waveguide which attenuates radiation leaking from non-conductive gaps in the faceplate and connector. In addition, the tubular member functions as a ground path for electrostatic discharges.

Abstract: A connector which allows wave soldering of terminals followed by the application of potting material over the terminals, including a base holding the terminals and wall segments hingedly secured to the base surrounding the terminals. For the wave soldering operation, the wall segments are pivoted away from the terminals to be substantially parallel to the base. After the wave soldering operation, the wall segments are pivoted toward the terminals to form a wall surrounding the terminals for containing potting material.

Abstract: A disposable umbrella wherein the shaft and rib structure are of unitary molded plastic construction. The ribs are joined to a central hub attached to the shaft by a self-hinge having memory which causes the ribs to spring outwardly into a radially extending state when released from a collapsed state.

Abstract: An electronic system having circuit cards insertable into a shelf unit, with shielding between adjacent circuit cards, is provided with a guide fin assembly having protruding guide fins between adjacent circuit card faceplates to limit cumulative tolerance build up between inserted circuit cards.

Abstract: An electromechanical phase shifter for a microstrip microwave transmission line includes a conductive base plate and a pair of microstrip transmission line segments supported parallel to each other and parallel to and spaced from the base plate. A movable microstrip transmission line bridges the pair of transmission line segments and is movable therealong to provide a short circuit therebetween. A movable ground element is coupled to the bridging transmission line for movement therewith and is in contact with the pair of transmission line segments and the base plate. The spacing between the movable bridging transmission line and the ground element is maintained at one quarter wavelength of the center frequency of the signal frequency band.

Abstract: A tool for removing an EMI/RFI shield assembly cover. The tool includes two body members arranged for reciprocating movement toward and away from each other over a limited distance. Each body member has a gripper member extending outwardly therefrom which, when the body members are spaced apart, slide over opposed sides of the shield cover. When the body members are subsequently moved together, the gripper members engage edges of the opposed sides of the cover so that subsequent movement of the tool removes the cover from the base.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shielding gasket extends through a slot in a face plate assembly bracket arm from the underside thereof. The gasket is secured to the underside of the bracket arm to avoid the problem of the gasket peeling from the bracket arm when circuit card assemblies are inserted into and removed from slots in a shelf unit.